Thursday, January 29, 2009
Sneak Peak!
Hawaii is INCREDIBLE!!! So far we have hiked, ridden mud buggys through the moutains, jumped off waterfalls, eaten some really good food, enjoyed some really good cocktails, snorkled, the guys have golfed, layed out, surfed and many other fun things. Up next is a day in the north while the guys are golfing, and 8 mile hike, more surfing, a boat cruise up the NaPali Coast, a helicopter ride and the Super Bowl in Hawaii! More to come but here's a quick pic. We are having SO MUCH FUN!!!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Almost??
So she doesn't look like THE Gerber baby... she's cuter!! (of course I am definitely biased :))
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Blueberries
Parker loves Blueberries in his cereal. LOVES. Everyday for dinner he asks for cereal and blueberries for dinner. I fixed his dinner tonight (obviously I didn't cook) and Parker told me he didn't want blueberries. I had already put them in so I just told him next time he could have it without.
I came in to see him eating like this. I guess he was serious. He pulled every single one out and lined them up! LOL
I came in to see him eating like this. I guess he was serious. He pulled every single one out and lined them up! LOL
Same age
You know I like my comparison shots!!
Here are all 3 kids at around 6 months.
Jacob
Parker
Eden
Here are all 3 kids at around 6 months.
Jacob
Parker
Eden
Sunday, January 18, 2009
14 miles
Well, our training is ramping up this month. Yesterday was a 14 mile run, up from 10 miles the weekend before. It is amazing how your legs just 'know' that you haven't run that far. After about 12, they started to ache. The run was fabulous though and I felt great the whole time. This next weekend is 16 miles, followed by 18 miles. I am scared of the 18 miler because I am supposed to do it while I am in Hawaii! Of course I am not going to do it there, but I will feel like I have to do it when I get home. Running 18 miles by yourself is so daunting! When you are in a group and everyone is in it with you, it is great. By yourself? Not so much.
Fundraising is going awesome! You can see my progress here. I am still far from my goal of $10,000, but I have 2 months to go still. Thank you SO MUCH to those of you who have donated!!
My health is great though and I am feeling wonderful since having Eden. My meds must be doing their job! I went in this past week to get an assessment at the gym. I am still a little heavier weight wise than I was before I had Eden (4 lbs), but my body fat was at 15% so I was very pleased with that. I have been working so hard, it's good to see there is a pay-off. I know I am in better shape than I have been...maybe ever. I am weight training now and it makes such a huge difference! I'm sure that's why I am little heavier, too. Muscle weighs more than fat and I know for a fact my legs are bigger than before because my jeans are tight in the thighs. I love it!
In other news, we still have the paci. UGH! He (and we) are having a hard time letting it go. When it is 9:30 pm and he is still getting out of bed asking for it, we just give in. We are exhausted with it!
Jacob is doing well in school and loving basketball. His team got spanked yesterday 20-0 (have you ever heard of a shut out in basketball? LOL), but they had so much fun during the game and that's all that matters. We have him signed up for Coach Pitch baseball so we are all very excited for that to start.
Eden is doing great and her cold is almost gone. YAY! She is such a little chunker butt and is the happiest baby EVER!! Here is a cute pic of her from yesterday (taken by my phone). She pooped all over herself at lunch so I took off her outfit. The spare outfit that is normally in my diaper bag had mysteriously disappeared and we HAD to stop by a store real quick. So we strapped her in her car seat and wrapped the blanket around her so snug that she couldn't wiggle around. It was white trash, but its all we could do!
Fundraising is going awesome! You can see my progress here. I am still far from my goal of $10,000, but I have 2 months to go still. Thank you SO MUCH to those of you who have donated!!
My health is great though and I am feeling wonderful since having Eden. My meds must be doing their job! I went in this past week to get an assessment at the gym. I am still a little heavier weight wise than I was before I had Eden (4 lbs), but my body fat was at 15% so I was very pleased with that. I have been working so hard, it's good to see there is a pay-off. I know I am in better shape than I have been...maybe ever. I am weight training now and it makes such a huge difference! I'm sure that's why I am little heavier, too. Muscle weighs more than fat and I know for a fact my legs are bigger than before because my jeans are tight in the thighs. I love it!
In other news, we still have the paci. UGH! He (and we) are having a hard time letting it go. When it is 9:30 pm and he is still getting out of bed asking for it, we just give in. We are exhausted with it!
Jacob is doing well in school and loving basketball. His team got spanked yesterday 20-0 (have you ever heard of a shut out in basketball? LOL), but they had so much fun during the game and that's all that matters. We have him signed up for Coach Pitch baseball so we are all very excited for that to start.
Eden is doing great and her cold is almost gone. YAY! She is such a little chunker butt and is the happiest baby EVER!! Here is a cute pic of her from yesterday (taken by my phone). She pooped all over herself at lunch so I took off her outfit. The spare outfit that is normally in my diaper bag had mysteriously disappeared and we HAD to stop by a store real quick. So we strapped her in her car seat and wrapped the blanket around her so snug that she couldn't wiggle around. It was white trash, but its all we could do!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
A blog I would like to share
I would like to share with you a blog that I read.
http://www.aholyexperience.com/
It is very powerful and has a way of making you stop. Stop right in the middle of your day and reflect on the life that has been given to you. I encourage you to read it and read it slow. Soak in every word. It's worth it, I swear.
http://www.aholyexperience.com/
It is very powerful and has a way of making you stop. Stop right in the middle of your day and reflect on the life that has been given to you. I encourage you to read it and read it slow. Soak in every word. It's worth it, I swear.
The Paci Fairy
Well we were allll ready for the Paci Fairy last night! Parker decided he was done with his paci because he wanted the Paci Fairy to bring him his "own DS" (Nintendo DS that would be. Unbelievably he knows how to play it...from watching Jacob). Anyway, the Paci Fairy did what he or she had to do to get the DS and we were all so excited!
When Mike got home from work we all played hide-and-seek with the paci's. I'm not sure how many we found, but we found lots! Parker cut them all and then ceremoniously dropped them one by one into the jar. He left it in a special place and was all excited!
Here he is with his jar of Paci's!
Look at all those Paci's!
See how he cut each one down the middle? After he did each one, he would stick it in his mouth to try it and each time he said "Nope!"
We put him to bed and that's when the tears started. "I want my paci!". "I don't want a DS, I want my paci!". This continued for about 20 minutes. He wasn't being obnoxious about it, he was just so sad that he didn't have his paci. Finally, Mike said, "Jess, I don't think he is ready." Luckily, we saved out one paci that wasn't cut.
I went in there and explained to him that if I gave him the paci, the paci fairy wouldn't come. He was ok with that and repeated through his sobs, "I don't want my own DS, I just want my paci."
Sooooo....we're back to square one on the paci's. This paci I will leave in his bed ONLY. If this one gets lost though...that's it! The rest are all cut up!
When Mike got home from work we all played hide-and-seek with the paci's. I'm not sure how many we found, but we found lots! Parker cut them all and then ceremoniously dropped them one by one into the jar. He left it in a special place and was all excited!
Here he is with his jar of Paci's!
Look at all those Paci's!
See how he cut each one down the middle? After he did each one, he would stick it in his mouth to try it and each time he said "Nope!"
We put him to bed and that's when the tears started. "I want my paci!". "I don't want a DS, I want my paci!". This continued for about 20 minutes. He wasn't being obnoxious about it, he was just so sad that he didn't have his paci. Finally, Mike said, "Jess, I don't think he is ready." Luckily, we saved out one paci that wasn't cut.
I went in there and explained to him that if I gave him the paci, the paci fairy wouldn't come. He was ok with that and repeated through his sobs, "I don't want my own DS, I just want my paci."
Sooooo....we're back to square one on the paci's. This paci I will leave in his bed ONLY. If this one gets lost though...that's it! The rest are all cut up!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Week 3 pic
My sick, snotty, sleepy girl. Poor baby! (although she looks so presh when she sleeps...)
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
What's for dinner - Tuesday
Well, I made tonight's dinner yesterday for two reasons.
1). Jacob has basketball and I have running...so we will all be eating at different times.
2). It's SOUP! And soup is best made the day before.
So here's whats for dinner tonight.
Potato, Corn and Crawfish Chowder
Serves 20
1 stick butter (I used yogurt butter)
1 onion, diced
1 T. garlic, chopped
1 T. cumin
2 lbs. crawfish tails
1 C. flour
1 quart chicken stock
1 C. tomato paste
1 quart heavy cream (I used no fat half & half)
2 C. potatoes, diced and blanched
3 C. fresh corn
1 C. green onions, chopped
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Cayenne to taste
¼ C. sherry
The juice of ½ lemon
**add 1 T. or more of Tony’s Seasoning
Melt butter in a heavy bottom soup pot. Sauté the onions and garlic until they are a little bit soft and then add cumin and crawfish tails briefly. Stir in the flour completely and stir constantly for a few minutes(to eliminate the flour-y taste). Then add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly for a few minutes more. Add the stock slowly, stirring continuously. The add the heavy cream. Bring to a boil and immediately reduce to a simmer. You need to watch carefully while bringing it to a boil because if it boils too fast and rapidly it will curdle. It will still tastes great, but it will look grainy and separated. Add the potatoes and corn and cook for 30 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and season to taste.
This is a Tim Creehan recipe and it is DELICIOUS!!! And not too bad for you either (as long as you use the no fat half & half). I did 3/4 of the recipe so we could eat on it for a few days. You don't need to do the whole thing unless you are having a houseful....because it makes so much! But it definitely warms the soul and cures the winter blues. Add a little hot sauce at cooking time and you are good to go. Yum!!
1). Jacob has basketball and I have running...so we will all be eating at different times.
2). It's SOUP! And soup is best made the day before.
So here's whats for dinner tonight.
Potato, Corn and Crawfish Chowder
Serves 20
1 stick butter (I used yogurt butter)
1 onion, diced
1 T. garlic, chopped
1 T. cumin
2 lbs. crawfish tails
1 C. flour
1 quart chicken stock
1 C. tomato paste
1 quart heavy cream (I used no fat half & half)
2 C. potatoes, diced and blanched
3 C. fresh corn
1 C. green onions, chopped
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Cayenne to taste
¼ C. sherry
The juice of ½ lemon
**add 1 T. or more of Tony’s Seasoning
Melt butter in a heavy bottom soup pot. Sauté the onions and garlic until they are a little bit soft and then add cumin and crawfish tails briefly. Stir in the flour completely and stir constantly for a few minutes(to eliminate the flour-y taste). Then add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly for a few minutes more. Add the stock slowly, stirring continuously. The add the heavy cream. Bring to a boil and immediately reduce to a simmer. You need to watch carefully while bringing it to a boil because if it boils too fast and rapidly it will curdle. It will still tastes great, but it will look grainy and separated. Add the potatoes and corn and cook for 30 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and season to taste.
This is a Tim Creehan recipe and it is DELICIOUS!!! And not too bad for you either (as long as you use the no fat half & half). I did 3/4 of the recipe so we could eat on it for a few days. You don't need to do the whole thing unless you are having a houseful....because it makes so much! But it definitely warms the soul and cures the winter blues. Add a little hot sauce at cooking time and you are good to go. Yum!!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Dinner review.
Well, the Linguine with Shrimp and Lemon Oil was DELICIOUS!! I didn't tell Mike ahead of time what we were having, because I knew if I told him, he would have turned up his nose. He went back for seconds.....a bigger plate than he had the first time! He thought it was awesome.
I did make some amendments to the recipe though.
- I used whole wheat pasta (Ronzoni brand Whole Wheat Blend Linguini)
- I doubled the garlic
- Along with the S&P, I added a few shakes of Tony's seasoning
- I also only used half the lemon oil. It called for a 1/2 cup, which I thought was a lot. I didn't want to be eating an oily glob of pasta.
- The recipe tells you to reserve a cup of the pasta water, but never tells you to add it to the dish. I added about 3/4 of it instead of the oil. The only sauce in this pasta besides the small amount of lemon oil that I added is 1/4 C. lemon juice. Hot pasta soaks up liquid like crazy so I knew a scarce 1/4 C. of lemon juice wasn't going to moisten the pasta enough. Dry pasta is not appetizing! Adding the pasta water not only allows the pasta to stay moist enough to taste good and not stick together, but also allows you to save the fat and calories of all that oil so you can eat dessert! Adding 1/2 cup of white wine instead of the salty pasta water would also be delish in this recipe. (although I am a big fan of pasta water!!)
This recipe is great! Stay tuned for tomorrow. I made tomorrows dinner tonight so I can PROMISE you it is going to be good!
I did make some amendments to the recipe though.
- I used whole wheat pasta (Ronzoni brand Whole Wheat Blend Linguini)
- I doubled the garlic
- Along with the S&P, I added a few shakes of Tony's seasoning
- I also only used half the lemon oil. It called for a 1/2 cup, which I thought was a lot. I didn't want to be eating an oily glob of pasta.
- The recipe tells you to reserve a cup of the pasta water, but never tells you to add it to the dish. I added about 3/4 of it instead of the oil. The only sauce in this pasta besides the small amount of lemon oil that I added is 1/4 C. lemon juice. Hot pasta soaks up liquid like crazy so I knew a scarce 1/4 C. of lemon juice wasn't going to moisten the pasta enough. Dry pasta is not appetizing! Adding the pasta water not only allows the pasta to stay moist enough to taste good and not stick together, but also allows you to save the fat and calories of all that oil so you can eat dessert! Adding 1/2 cup of white wine instead of the salty pasta water would also be delish in this recipe. (although I am a big fan of pasta water!!)
This recipe is great! Stay tuned for tomorrow. I made tomorrows dinner tonight so I can PROMISE you it is going to be good!
Whats for dinner?
Linguine with Shrimp and Lemon Oil is what's for dinner tonight. It looks yummy and I am in the mood for pasta. Shrimp, Lemon and Arugula is a great combo for me so I am excited to try it. I think I'll use whole wheat pasta in this recipe. Whole Wheat pasta adds a nutty flavor that I don't like in a red sauce, but I do like in a recipe like this. Plus, it's healthier!
I'll let you know how it is!
I'll let you know how it is!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
25 facts about me
1. I was born in Enid, Oklahoma.
2. When I was younger I said I wanted 2 boys and then a girl. And I got it!
3. I knew I would marry Mike when I first met him in 10th grade. And many people can attest to this fact!
4. I typically read magazines back to front.
5. I am very lucky.
6. Also a little bit psychic. I am about 95% accurate on guessing the sex of my friends babies. I also feel like I 'know' other things...
7. I plan on writing a cookbook by the time I am 40. (my 10 year goal!)
8. After Eden is in pre-school I plan on opening a catering/party planning business with some of my friends.
9. I threw a coin in the fountain at the Swan hotel, where we stayed at Disney last October, and wished for a baby girl. That weekend we conceived Eden while practicing safe sex. That's why we gave her such a special name! She is our miracle.
10. Some of my ancestors include a former King of Sweden and the first 'real' President of the United States.
11. I majored in Human Resources in college and worked in my field for 2 years before getting married and 'retiring'. I have no intentions of going back to HR. (sorry mom & dad!)
12. I will try anything once. This goes for all foods but only most experiences (I wont sky dive or bungee jump).
13. I have a HUGE fear of open water. I even get scared swimming in an indoor pool if the lights are dim. I *think* I am in open water and it is very scary!
14. I often perform my gymnastics routines from when I was younger in my head. Weird, I know!
15. I vacuum myself out of a room. I cant stand to vacuum, only to leave a room with footprints all over the place. (our new carpet has saved me a lot of headache though. It is longer and you cant really see footprints).
16. I am a true Aquarius! Very independent, free thinking, stubborn, etc.
17. My favorite smells include Snuggle fabric softener, the beach air, chlorine, Tabu perfume, Johnson and Johnson baby lotion, boat gas, garlic and onions cooking, the smell of any baby, my sweaty kids and citrus. I know some of these are weird...but this is coming from a person who enjoys the smell of a skunk!
18. I ran my first marathon pregnant. Parker is unique in that he is probably one of very few 2 year olds who have 'run' a marathon!
19. I had a Holy experience one time at a Kmart when I was in college and think I 'saw' Heaven. Truly!
20. I tried out for Cheerleading at FSU but didn't make it. Maybe if I wasn't such a Fatty Patty I would have! LOL!
21. I always wanted a belly button ring and still do...even though now they are kind of ehhh.
22. I have a feeling that one day I will be semi-famous. Don't know when or how though! Its just a feeling...(see #6!)
23. I hope that by the end of my life can say I did something charitable every year. (and I'm not talking a check.....I mean using my time for the betterment of others).
24. I am listening to my first book on tape and I LOVE it! It's called 'Fall on Your Knees'. It is awesome, whacked, strange and addicting all at the same time. I only allow myself to listen when I'm running....which makes me want to run ALL THE TIME!!
25. I sometimes watch Mike when he is sleeping and try to imagine what he was like at our boys age.
2. When I was younger I said I wanted 2 boys and then a girl. And I got it!
3. I knew I would marry Mike when I first met him in 10th grade. And many people can attest to this fact!
4. I typically read magazines back to front.
5. I am very lucky.
6. Also a little bit psychic. I am about 95% accurate on guessing the sex of my friends babies. I also feel like I 'know' other things...
7. I plan on writing a cookbook by the time I am 40. (my 10 year goal!)
8. After Eden is in pre-school I plan on opening a catering/party planning business with some of my friends.
9. I threw a coin in the fountain at the Swan hotel, where we stayed at Disney last October, and wished for a baby girl. That weekend we conceived Eden while practicing safe sex. That's why we gave her such a special name! She is our miracle.
10. Some of my ancestors include a former King of Sweden and the first 'real' President of the United States.
11. I majored in Human Resources in college and worked in my field for 2 years before getting married and 'retiring'. I have no intentions of going back to HR. (sorry mom & dad!)
12. I will try anything once. This goes for all foods but only most experiences (I wont sky dive or bungee jump).
13. I have a HUGE fear of open water. I even get scared swimming in an indoor pool if the lights are dim. I *think* I am in open water and it is very scary!
14. I often perform my gymnastics routines from when I was younger in my head. Weird, I know!
15. I vacuum myself out of a room. I cant stand to vacuum, only to leave a room with footprints all over the place. (our new carpet has saved me a lot of headache though. It is longer and you cant really see footprints).
16. I am a true Aquarius! Very independent, free thinking, stubborn, etc.
17. My favorite smells include Snuggle fabric softener, the beach air, chlorine, Tabu perfume, Johnson and Johnson baby lotion, boat gas, garlic and onions cooking, the smell of any baby, my sweaty kids and citrus. I know some of these are weird...but this is coming from a person who enjoys the smell of a skunk!
18. I ran my first marathon pregnant. Parker is unique in that he is probably one of very few 2 year olds who have 'run' a marathon!
19. I had a Holy experience one time at a Kmart when I was in college and think I 'saw' Heaven. Truly!
20. I tried out for Cheerleading at FSU but didn't make it. Maybe if I wasn't such a Fatty Patty I would have! LOL!
21. I always wanted a belly button ring and still do...even though now they are kind of ehhh.
22. I have a feeling that one day I will be semi-famous. Don't know when or how though! Its just a feeling...(see #6!)
23. I hope that by the end of my life can say I did something charitable every year. (and I'm not talking a check.....I mean using my time for the betterment of others).
24. I am listening to my first book on tape and I LOVE it! It's called 'Fall on Your Knees'. It is awesome, whacked, strange and addicting all at the same time. I only allow myself to listen when I'm running....which makes me want to run ALL THE TIME!!
25. I sometimes watch Mike when he is sleeping and try to imagine what he was like at our boys age.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Ack! I am so sorry I have neglected you!
I will start by saying sorry to all! I fooled you in December with my sometimes 3 a day posts to my blog. This is *not* a foreshadow as to how I will maintain my blog in 2009. I have just had a busy, busy couple weeks!
Currently I am running 5 days a week, one of which being almost a two hour run and I am working out at the gym 3-4 days a week weight training. Jacob has basketball one night a week and gymnastics another night. I run on Tuesday nights and Mike usually does something like poker one night. Saturday mornings I run with my group and that takes about 4 or so hours (altogether, not just the running). I am by no means complaining, but just stating how crazy busy I am! With all of this exercise, you would think I would be in immaculate shape. Alas, I am not. Everyone told me that the third kid would do me in, and they were right! My figure aside, she is sooo easy and just so lovable. Every inch of her (which is a lot these days.....chubby wubbs!).
I took the kids to the park today and Eden got to swing for the first time. She loved the swing and was laughing and giggling! Here is a pic I uploaded from my phone.
Funny story. After I put her in the "bucket" seat, I pushed her and then helped Parker into his swing and pushed him a few times. I looked over at her and she had sunk down so far in the seat that I couldn't see her at all. I could only see two baby legs sticking out. LOL!
Anyway, here is her 2nd week pic!
And then a silly one of her!
Currently I am running 5 days a week, one of which being almost a two hour run and I am working out at the gym 3-4 days a week weight training. Jacob has basketball one night a week and gymnastics another night. I run on Tuesday nights and Mike usually does something like poker one night. Saturday mornings I run with my group and that takes about 4 or so hours (altogether, not just the running). I am by no means complaining, but just stating how crazy busy I am! With all of this exercise, you would think I would be in immaculate shape. Alas, I am not. Everyone told me that the third kid would do me in, and they were right! My figure aside, she is sooo easy and just so lovable. Every inch of her (which is a lot these days.....chubby wubbs!).
I took the kids to the park today and Eden got to swing for the first time. She loved the swing and was laughing and giggling! Here is a pic I uploaded from my phone.
Funny story. After I put her in the "bucket" seat, I pushed her and then helped Parker into his swing and pushed him a few times. I looked over at her and she had sunk down so far in the seat that I couldn't see her at all. I could only see two baby legs sticking out. LOL!
Anyway, here is her 2nd week pic!
And then a silly one of her!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Icicles!
Brrrrrrrr. Today is a cold, overcast, freezing day. It was 84 degrees Saturday, which is probably the only reason that the rain isnt making ice when it hits the ground. The weather says "29 degrees, feels like 25", so the ground must still be warm. But the kids, mostly Jacob, are very excited about the 'icicles'! Jacob did have school today, but the rest of us (besides Mike of course) have stayed home in jammies all day.
Check out the Texas icicles!
Now we're going to curl up on the couch with hot chocolate and watch a movie!
Check out the Texas icicles!
Now we're going to curl up on the couch with hot chocolate and watch a movie!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
The 52 week project
So I am stealing the ideas of some bloggers/photographers (which I am not) to do a 52 week project. Every week I will post a pic of Eden. They change so much so quickly that I think it may be fun to document! So here goes week one...
And because I couldn't resist...here is one of her cracking up during the photo shoot. She does that thing where she laughs shyly and then buries her head in your chest. It is sooo cute!!
And because I couldn't resist...here is one of her cracking up during the photo shoot. She does that thing where she laughs shyly and then buries her head in your chest. It is sooo cute!!
Friday, January 2, 2009
2008
What a year!
We went from this
to this
to this.
Also from this
to this
to this
to this.
I turned 32
Mike turned 34
Jacob turned 5
Parker turned 2
And Eden had her "0th" birthday.
Nate got a new sister and Jacob, Parker and Eden got a new cousin.
I could go on and on.....but overall it was a fabulous year filled with great family, great friends and great times. I cant wait to see what 2009 brings! So far on the agenda is a trip to Hawaii, a marathon in Rome and my first baby going off to Kindergarten. I wonder what other interesting things will pop up? I love you all and thanks for making this year a wonderful one. XOXO
We went from this
to this
to this.
Also from this
to this
to this
to this.
I turned 32
Mike turned 34
Jacob turned 5
Parker turned 2
And Eden had her "0th" birthday.
Nate got a new sister and Jacob, Parker and Eden got a new cousin.
I could go on and on.....but overall it was a fabulous year filled with great family, great friends and great times. I cant wait to see what 2009 brings! So far on the agenda is a trip to Hawaii, a marathon in Rome and my first baby going off to Kindergarten. I wonder what other interesting things will pop up? I love you all and thanks for making this year a wonderful one. XOXO
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